Chapter 2618


    Balfour’s grip on Victoria’s wrist tightened as he lowered his hand from her mouth.


    “Man, you kids sure know how to book it. Come on, back to the house with me.”


    Monkey was flipping a switchde in his hand, not at all intimidated by these two. He was confident he


    could drag them back if he had to.


    Balfour kept squeezing Victoria’s wrist, a silent reminder of his presence.


    “What’s the matter, kitten? Cat got your tongue? Heh, next time I will make some noise, give you a real


    scare, how about that? Now, be a good girl ande back with me, okay?”


    “Three, two, one-”


    That was the rhythm Balfour was using to count down on Victoria’s wrist, and when the count was over,


    he suddenly yelled, “Run!”


    They took off in the opposite direction from Monkey, racing for their freedom.


    “Shucks-stubborn little things, aren’t ya? Looks like I gotta teach you a lesson. When the grown-ups


    talk, you listen!”


    They had been running for so long, both were close to exhaustion, even Balfour felt his strength


    waning.


    But Monkey was fast, and Victoria could feel the whoosh of air as he closed in behind them.


    She bit back the urge to look over her shoulder just kept pushing forward, praying for a miracle, for


    someone toe to their rescue.


    “Oh, sweethearts, just stop now, give up nice and easy, and I might go easy on ya. But if I have to


    catch you, it won’t be pretty.”


    Monkey’s voice was like a ghost, haunting their every step, and though they were slowing down, they


    dared not stop, knowing that to stop would mean they’d never escape.


    They were getting closer to the main road, the glimmer of hope shining just ahead. Victoria bit her lip so


    hard she tasted blood.


    “Come on-


    Monkey sneered at their defiance; unruly kids needed to be disciplined. He picked up the pace.


    Just as Monkey was about to snag Victoria, another car pulled up in their path. Victoria couldn’t hold


    back the tears that fell like pearls from a snapped string. Why, when hope was finally in sight, was


    someone else blocking their way? Why was the world so cruel to her?


    Despair washed over Victoria.


    But Balfour, beside her, seemed even more spent, slowing to a stop, pulling her back with his failing


    strength.


    “What are you doing? Are you out of your mind? We can’t stop now! Keep running!”


    A smile actually crossed Balfour’s face, making Victoria even more convinced he had lost his mind.


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    “Balfour!”


    “Victoria!”


    Victoria couldn’t believe her ears; was it an illusion? But then she heard it again, the unmistakable


    sound of Mara’s voice.


    “Grandma, Grandpa.”


    Balfour had been fighting to keep his emotions in check, but when Alyssa wrapped him in her embrace,


    he couldn’t help but sob. The day had been far too long and far too hard.